3. Cut back on television. Unless you don't have one you're probably watching too much.

4. Practice what you preach. Children imitate and they'll be more inclined to read when you are reading. Talk about and share the stories you are reading.

5. Don't force a child to finish a book. It's okay to discard, in the time it takes to plod through something they've lost interest in they could have read two others that they like.

6. Don't discourage children from following the text with their finger. They will stop this automatically as they gain confidence and experience.

7. Don't assume that everything in print, or award-winning, is worthwhile. Pick books that both the reader and listener will enjoy.

8. Don't force a taking turns policy where readers alternate reading different paragraphs. This can cause anxiety and break up the text's meaning for new readers. Let them decide how much they want to read and then follow along when you are reading.

9. Don't force your child to read every word. Adults gain much of their information by scanning and children can too.

10. Don't insist on certain books--though don't hesitate to censor inappropriate material--variety is best encouraged through availability and example.

11. Don't be concerned if your child is hung up on one book or one series. Subsequent readings are usually beneficial for deeper understanding.

12. Don't feel you must spend money on books for your child to enjoy reading. If you have a good library nearby, picking out a book can encourage a child's independence. Go through school book orders and see which are offered at your local library or through an inter-library loan system. Try local used books stores or on-line stores like Powells and Alibris.

13. Don't quit reading out loud once your child can read alone. They joy of a shared experience can be found at any age.

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comments:

This is an excellent list! As a teacher and as a mommy (even though my son is 6 months old). We have books and magazines strewn about the house and a massive bag of library books at any given time (board books for our amusement as well as his). Thanks!

When I was a kid my Dad read all the time. I can't remember a time when I wasn't reading. My parents were getting me books as early as possible. I feel sorry for kids that only want to watch tv and not read. They don't know what they're missing out on.

I forgot to add that your tips have such a 'sensitive' and 'thoughtful' quality to them. Great! It is the connection that we as parents build with our children during the reding process. When I'm tired, I forget the importance of this connection..Thank you for the reminders.

Mom and Dad reading instead of watching TV will also encourage them to read. I didn't read much for pleasure as a young person, but my parents read literally hundreds of books every year. They would come home from the local paperback exchange with three paper grocery sacks full at a time. That might last two weeks or a month, tops. Eventually some of the titles interested me and I started reading a few, and haven't looked back.

I though this was a great list! I am a book monster and try to encourage my nephews to read more, i have found that they like fact over fiction at the moment. But they like me to read them Harry Potter and The Hobbit.

Hi - please take a look at my blog of children's letters. I am very interested in literacy, but from a different angle - celebrating children's spontaneous writings and their natural literary expressiveness. Your blog is brilliant and I will include it in my link list.

Do you not find that allowing children to discard a book they've lost interest in builds some sort of...uh, whats the word...characteristic that'll lead to them not being able to finish things in the future? I'm not saying I think this is what'll happen, I"m just curious what you think about that.